Shirley Tanner Myers passed away June 7th at age 89 from natural causes. She was born January 13, 1930 in Rexburg, ID to George S. and Mildred Hogge Tanner. After graduating from Moscow (Idaho) High School as valedictorian at age 16, she attended the University of Idaho, where she was president of the Mortar Board. She graduated 1st in her college and 8th in her class overall at age 20 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics.
Shirley then moved to New York to obtain her Master's Degree from Columbia University. There she met Zeth C. Myers, who was stationed in New York in the Navy, at a young adult activity. Their courtship included dancing all night at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. They were married in 1953 in New York and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.
Shirley was extremely well read and had a vast wealth of knowledge on a variety of subjects. She instilled that thirst for knowledge in her children, all of whom obtained college degrees. Besides obtaining her B.S. and Master's degrees, she completed all the course work for her Doctorate; due to circumstances beyond her control, however, she was unable to complete and defend her dissertation and always felt disappointed that she was unable to add "Ph.D." to her Vitae.
Shirley worked for many years as a grade school teacher and then as a professor at the University of Utah teaching Foods and Nutrition. She also frequently practiced her Home Ec skills: She sewed everything from backpacks to ski pants, bathrobes to diaper bags, and pajamas to quilts for her family. She was well known as a fabulous cook, another skill passed on with patience to her posterity. She was and will forever be our Mom.
Survived by children Shauna (Lauren) Kimball, Mark (Annette), Brian (Carolyn), Kelly (Kathryn); daughter-in-law Mary Ann Myers; brother Stan Tanner; 20 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by parents, sister Jewell, eternal companion Zeth, and son Terry.
Viewing: June 14th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Winder 7th Ward, 4350 S. 1100 E. Salt Lake City. Graveside service: June 15th at 11:00 am, Wasatch Lawn Cemetery (viewing at 10:00 am in cemetery chapel). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Perpetual Education Fund. Full obituary: dignitymemorial.com
